How to Capture a Duke
Page 21
She sighed and unfolded her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “Oh, is this the same man who didn’t want a single nappy in the house?”
His arms tightened around her, and he lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “You showed me the error of my ways.”
She tilted her lips in a smile. “Good, because in a few months’ time, we will have another to add to our growing family.”
He lifted his head to look in her eyes. “Another baby?”
“Yes, another.”
His heart squeezed in his chest. “God has blessed me.”
A shadow crossed her features. “Georgiana and Rory do not stammer. Are you worried that our third child will?”
“No.”
“No?”
“No, I’m not worried. You are a wonderful mother, and together we can help our children through whatever difficulties they face.”
She lovingly brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. “Since when did you have such a charming tongue?”
“I’ve been working on it since I met you, my love.”
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Author’s Note
This book is straight from my heart, and I purposely chose a hero with a speech disorder. All through grammar school, I was treated by my school’s speech therapist. First, English was my second language. I’m a first-generation Armenian-American, and we spoke Armenian at home. Second, I had an articulation delay and struggled to pronounce certain words and sounds. As a five year old, I remember my speech therapist quite fondly. She had pretty long, brown hair to her waist, wore colorful high heels, and gave me candy after each session. She also helped me a lot, and over my entire grammar school career, my speech difficulties were resolved. I went on to become an attorney, and I’ve argued cases in front of judges in crowded courtrooms.
My hero, Tristan, the Duke of Keswick, stutters. Historically, it was difficult to find proper treatment, and I tried to show how people with this speech disorder struggled. Ineffective treatment could make it much worse. I also took literary license when Tristan’s treatment improved his stutter in a shorter time-frame. In reality, speech therapy can take much longer.
Stuttering can change a person’s outlook on life. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately three million Americans stutter. Stuttering affects people of all ages, but boys are two to three times as likely to stutter as girls. Most children outgrow stuttering, but for the 25 percent who don’t, stuttering can be a lifelong disorder. There’s a long list of famous people who struggle with or have struggled with stuttering, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Winston Churchill, King George VI, James Earl Jones, Nicole Kidman, and many more.
I hope this inspires some, and you enjoy reading this story as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!
Acknowledgments
Writers create stories in solitude, but publishing a book is a team effort. I’m thankful for all the wonderful people who have helped me along the way. I will always be indebted to my parents, Anahid and Gabriel, and miss them every day. They taught me to work hard and never stop believing in myself.
Thanks to my girls—Laura and Gabrielle—for believing in Mom. I’m eternally grateful to John for his never-ending support, encouragement, and love.
Thank you to my agent, Stephany Evans, for your guidance and for always believing in me.
And a special thank you to my editor, Heather Howland, and Entangled Publishing for all their work on my behalf.
Last, thanks to my readers. Without you, there would be no books!
About the Author
Best-selling author Tina Gabrielle is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She often picked up a romance and let her fantasies of knights in shining armor and lords and ladies carry her away. She is the author of adventurous Regency historical romances for Entangled Publishing and Kensington Books.
Publisher’s Weekly calls her Regency Barrister’s series, “Well-matched lovers…witty comradely repartee.” Tina’s books have been Barnes & Noble top picks, and her first book, Lady of Scandal, was nominated as best first historical by Romantic Times Book Reviews. Tina lives in New Jersey and is married to her own hero and is blessed with two daughters. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website to learn about upcoming releases, join her newsletter, and enter free monthly contests at www.tinagabrielle.com. Sign up for Tina’s newsletter to keep up-to-date on all of her upcoming releases.
You can also find Tina at:
Twitter: @TinaGabrielle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TinaGabrielle
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TinaGabrielleAuthor
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At the Spy’s Pleasure
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Real Earls Break the Rules
The Duke Meets His Match
Lady of Scandal
A Perfect Scandal
In the Barrister’s Chambers
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